English Medieval Studies

The Book of Margery Kempe, Add. MS 61823, f.001r © Courtesy of the British Library Board

English Medieval Studies at the University of Bonn

Why study medieval English languages and literature? Our students gain a deeper understanding of the roots and development of the English language, as well as discovering valuable insights into the literary, social, and cultural landscapes that continue to shape our present. Our team's specialisms span the entire medieval period (700-1500): our research encompasses poetry and prose, religious and secular texts, and manuscript studies. We work on topics such the roles of women, translation, medievalism, and ideas of perfection, identity, fame, education, and humour.

English Medieval Studies invites students to learn about the languages, literatures and cultures of England and beyond from 700 to 1500. We offer:

Introductions to Old and Middle English
History of the English Language
Seminars on Old and Middle English texts in the original, such as “Reading Chaucer” and “Old English Riddles”
Topic courses taught in translation, such as "Women’s Writing in Medieval England" and “Trying to Be Perfect in the Middle Ages”
Seminars on medievalism and modern adaptations of medieval texts, such as “Old English Poetry (Then and Now)” and “Beowulf and its Afterlives"

Our courses introduce students to the craft of close reading and to relevant cultural and historical contexts. We teach English literature with a comparative approach, showing how it engages with works in Latin and other languages. Higher level seminars include relevant theoretical and secondary works.